April 23, 2008-Viralytics Limited (VLA) advises that it has been granted a patent in the United States of America for the use of its family of 4 Coxsackie viruses for the treatment of all cancers bearing expression of the ICAM-1 molecule
Numerous cancers have elevated levels of ICAM-1 on their cell surfaces and the presence of this molecule allows our family of viruses to lock onto the surface of cancer cells, infect and destroy them
Professor Darren Shafren (Director and Inventor of the technology) said “The issuance of this patent is a significant milestone for the company as it covers the company’s core oncolytic virus technology. As the USA represents approximately 40% of the world market for cancer treatments the granting of a patent in this market is a major step towards the successful commercialisation of an anti-cancer product”
The granting of this core patent adds significant value to the company’s intellectual property portfolio
It is important to note that the scope of the granted patent covers the use of the company’s lead product, CAVATAKTM (which is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in two Phase I monotherapy trials in late stage melanoma, breast and prostate cancer patients) and also 3 additional strains of Coxsackie A group viruses currently under pre-clinical development by Viralytics
This patent provides an exclusive use of our family of Coxsackie A group viruses for the treatment of cancers until 2022 with up to a five year extension to 2027 potentially available under US legislation
The patent granted (US patent number 7,361,354) is entitled “Methods for treating malignancies expressing ICAM-1 using Coxsackie A group viruses”. Similar patents addressing the anti-cancer activity of the company’s Coxsackie A group viruses have already granted in Australia and New Zealand. The patenting process for these viruses and the company’s other oncolytic virus technology, EVATAKTM (Echovirus type 1) is continuing in other major world markets
(Source: www.pharmalive.com)
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